Page 120 - THE LAST OF THE MOHICANS

The Last of the Mohicans

ideas, at the same time that they get rid of old ones, which
had proved disagreeable inmates. The two latter uttered
their usual expressive exclamation, ‘hugh!’ as the truth first
glanced upon their minds, while the former, after a short,

musing pause, took upon himself to reply.
‘I cannot deny your words,’ he said, ‘for I am little
skilled in horses, though born where they abound. The
wolves must be hovering above their heads on the bank,
and the timorsome creatures are calling on man for help,
in the best manner they are able. Uncas’ — he spoke in
Delaware — ‘Uncas, drop down in the canoe, and whirl a
brand among the pack; or fear may do what the wolves
can’t get at to perform, and leave us without horses in the
morning, when we shall have so much need to journey
swiftly!’
The young native had already descended to the water
to comply, when a long howl was raised on the edge of
the river, and was borne swiftly off into the depths of the
forest, as though the beasts, of their own accord, were
abandoning their prey in sudden terror. Uncas, with
instinctive quickness, receded, and the three foresters held
another of their low, earnest conferences.
‘We have been like hunters who have lost the points of
the heavens, and from whom the sun has been hid for

119 of 698